Toolless clamp

ABSTRACT

A toolless clamp comprises a shaft, a base, a latch, a first biasing member, and a clamping member. The base has a base bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft. The latch has a latch bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft and a portion of the base. The first biasing member is configured and arranged to bias the latch in a first direction away from the clamping member in an unclamped position and bias the shaft and clamping member in a second direction toward the base in a clamped position. The clamping member is operatively connected to a proximal end of the shaft and is configured and arranged to disengage the connecting member when the latch is in the unclamped position and engage the connecting member when the latch is in the clamped position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/982,906, filed Feb. 28, 2020, which is incorporated in itsentirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A fiber optic cable generally includes a protective or supportingmaterial through which an optical fiber extends. The cables typicallyhave connectors located on each end to connect them to other fiber opticcables or to peripheral devices, and the connectors are high precisiondevices that position the fibers in the cables for optimal connection.

In order to pass light signals thru fiber optic cables, the end face ofthe connector (from which a ferrule and an optical fiber extend) mustabut an adjacent cable connector in a specific manner. The hightolerances required of the parts to make these connections lead toprecise shaping of the ends via cleaving, cutting, and/or polishing.Apex offset, radius of curvature, fiber protrusion/recession, andangularity are all geometric parameters of a fiber end face that playinto the quality of the signal passing thru the cable. Final testmeasurements for back reflection and insertion loss are typically usedas the final checks to determine the quality of the geometry (as well asthe alignment, cleanliness, and surface finish of the finished cable.)As such, the end face is usually polished to exacting standards so as toproduce a finished product with minimal back reflection and loss. Forexample, it is often necessary to polish the end face of the connectorto a precise length, i.e., so the end face projects a predeterminedamount from a reference point such as a shoulder on the fiber opticconnector within a predetermined tolerance. Fiber optic cables havingmultiple optical fibers can also be polished to produce a particularperformance specification.

Optical fiber polishers typically include a rotating platen and an armmechanism that positions and supports the connectors during thepolishing process. Typically, the end face is lowered onto a filmresting on the platen, and depending upon the film, the speed of theplaten, the pressure applied, and its duration, acquires a productsuitable for a particular application.

Optical fiber polishers generally include a fixture coupled to the armmechanism that is capable of holding and gripping one or more fiberoptic connectors and advancing them under controlled conditions of speedand force to engage a plurality of fiber optic ends into engagement witha polishing member such as a rotatable platen having an abrasivesurface. In order to achieve the precision typically needed, the fiberoptic connectors must be secured within the fixture in such a way thatall the connectors protrude from the bottom of the fixture at the sameangle and to the same extent, thus assuring that each optical fiber ispolished at the same degree and extent.

As such, fixtures typically employ complex clamping assemblies that areused to hold the connectors at the desired angle and depth. Theseclamping assemblies can require extensive manipulation from an operatorin order to load and unload the connectors from the fixture, thusincreasing the time needed to polish multiple connectors. In addition,existing fixtures can present obstacles when one or more of the clampingassemblies needs replacing. For example, when even a single clampingassembly needs replacing, an operator may need to halt polishing inorder to send the entire fixture back to the manufacturer for repairs.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, a need exists for the presentinvention.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned problems associated with prior devices are addressedby embodiments of the disclosure and will be understood by reading andunderstanding the present specification. The following summary is madeby way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided toaid in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.

In one embodiment, a toolless clamp for clamping a connecting member toa support structure comprises a shaft, a base, a latch, a first biasingmember, and a clamping member. The shaft has an intermediate portioninterconnecting a proximal end and a distal end. The base has a basebore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft.The latch has a latch bore configured and arranged to slidably receive aportion of the shaft and a portion of the base. The clamping member isoperatively connected to the proximal end of the shaft and is configuredand arranged to disengage the connecting member when the latch is in anunclamped position and engage the connecting member when the latch is ina clamped position. The first biasing member is configured and arrangedto bias the latch in a first direction away from the clamping member inthe unclamped position and bias the shaft and the clamping member in asecond direction toward the base in the clamped position.

In one embodiment, a combination toolless clamp and fiber opticpolishing fixture are configured and arranged for polishing a cable of afiber optic cable assembly including a shoulder. The toolless clampcomprises a shaft, a base, a latch, a first biasing member, and aclamping member. The shaft has an intermediate portion interconnecting aproximal end and a distal end. The base has a base bore configured andarranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft. The latch has alatch bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of theshaft and a portion of the base. The clamping member is operativelyconnected to the proximal end of the shaft and is configured andarranged to disengage the connecting member when the latch is in anunclamped position and engage the connecting member when the latch is ina clamped position. The first biasing member is configured and arrangedto bias the latch in a first direction away from the clamping member inthe unclamped position and bias the shaft and the clamping member in asecond direction toward the base in the clamped position. The fiberoptic polishing fixture comprises a fixture base having a cable apertureand a clamping member aperture. The cable aperture is configured andarranged to receive a portion of the shoulder, and the clamping memberaperture is configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of theclamping member.

In one embodiment, a method of clamping a fiber optic cable assemblyonto a fiber optic polishing fixture using a clamp assembly operativelyconnected to the fiber optic polishing fixture comprises inserting aportion of the fiber optic cable assembly into a cable aperture of thefiber optic polishing fixture, and rotating a latch about a clamp baseof a clamp assembly to move a shaft and a clamping member from anunclamped position into a clamped position. The clamped position beingwhen the clamping member engages the fiber optic cable assembly andthereby transfers a force of the biasing member to the fiber optic cableassembly thereby securing it within a cable aperture of the fiber opticpolishing fixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments andtogether with the description serve to explain principles ofembodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages ofembodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understoodby reference to the following detailed description. In accordance withcommon practice, the various described features are not drawn to scalebut are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the presentdisclosure. Reference characters denote like elements throughout theFigures and the text.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber polisher.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a fiber optic cable assembly;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the fiber optic cable assemblyshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment clamp assemblyconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded rear perspective view of the clamp assembly shownin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a clamp base of the clamp assemblyshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a shaft of the clamp assembly shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a latch of the clamp assembly shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the clamp assembly shown in FIG. 4and a fiber optic cable assembly connected to a fixture of an opticalfiber polisher with the clamp assembly in an unclamped position;

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a cross-section view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 10A taken along the lines10B-10B in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly and the fiber opticcable assembly connected to the fixture shown in FIG. 9 with the clampassembly in an intermediate position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly and the fiber opticcable assembly connected to the fixture shown in FIG. 9 with the clampassembly in a clamped position;

FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 13B is a cross-section view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 13A taken along the lines13B-13B in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment clamp assembly and afiber optic cable assembly connected to a fixture of an optical fiberpolisher with the clamp assembly in an unclamped position;

FIG. 15A is a top perspective view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 15B is a cross-section view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 15A taken along the lines15B-15B in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly and the fiber opticcable assembly connected to the fixture shown in FIG. 14 with the clampassembly in an intermediate position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly and the fiber opticcable assembly connected to the fixture shown in FIG. 14 with the clampassembly in a clamped position;

FIG. 18A is a top perspective view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 18B is a cross-section view of the clamp assembly, fiber opticcable assembly, and fixture shown in FIG. 18A taken along the lines18B-18B in FIG. 18A; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a plurality of clamp assemblies of thetype shown in FIG. 14 connected to a fixture of an optical fiberpolisher, the clamp assemblies positioned in unclamped positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration embodiments in which the disclosure may bepracticed. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used withreference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Becausecomponents of embodiments can be positioned in a number of differentorientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes ofillustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims.

It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized andmechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber polisher 100constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.This type of optical fiber polisher 100 is shown and described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,738,760 and 8,708,776, which are hereby incorporated byreference, and is Optical Fiber Polishing Machine APM Model HDC-5300 byDomaille Engineering, LLC of Rochester, Minn. Although optical fiberpolisher 100 is generally shown and described, it is recognized thatother suitable types of polishers could be used with the presentinvention.

Generally, the polisher 100 includes a polishing unit 102 comprising apneumatic overarm assembly 103, a platen assembly 108 rotatablysupported by a stage 109, a processor, a porting device 110 for aportable memory device 111, and an input device 112. A housing 101supports and aligns the polishing unit 102, the processor, and the inputdevice 112 in an operative position. A slot 116 is inserted along oneside of the housing 101 to allow the portable memory device 111 toaccess the porting device 110. A cable management attachment 118 isconnected to the back of the housing 101 for supporting fiber opticcables undergoing a polishing process.

The pneumatic overarm assembly 103 includes an overarm 105 hingedlysecured along one end to a base 104, the overarm 105 rotatable about thehinged end. A pair of pneumatic cylinders 106 is coupled to the overarm105, opposing rotational movement thereof. A mounting pole 107 extendsdownward from the overarm 105 and is configured and arranged, as is wellknown in the art, to connect to a mounting tube 186 of a fixture 180,which is described in more detail below.

The polisher 100 maintains rigid control of each polishing processthrough feedback mechanisms which control the operation of both theplaten assembly 108 and the pneumatic overarm assembly 103. The feedbackmechanisms communicate with the processor to continuously monitor theperformance of the platen assembly 108 and the pneumatic overarmassembly 103 and ensure that both are functioning at their set levels.In some embodiments, the processor communicates with the porting device110, the input device 112, and a USB port for a keyboard to enable rapidprogramming of the polisher 100. The input device 112 also serves as avisual indicator of actual operating parameters.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of an example fiber optic cableassembly 150, including a fiber cable 151. Although this type ofassembly is shown and described, it is recognized that other suitabletypes of assemblies for use with any suitable non-round ferrules such asbut not limited to MT ferrules, MTRJ ferrules, and fiber arrays. In someembodiments, a fixture could be adapted to receive one or more differenttypes of assemblies. The fiber optic cable (MT ferrule) assembly 150includes a ferrule 155 with a strain relief 153 and a fiber cable 151.The ferrule 155 has a shoulder 154, and fiber apertures 152 The fiberapertures 152 go through the ferrule 155 to allow the fiber in the fibercable 151 to go through the ferrule and be polished coplanar to theferrule end face 159. The shoulder 154 includes a top face 160 to whichthe strain relief 153 is attached. The ferrule 155 generally includes anend face 159 and four side faces 156 and 157. A shoulder bottom face 158of the shoulder 154 is preferably manufactured substantially parallelwith a ferrule end face 159 of the ferrule 155. Thus, according to someembodiments, the ferrule end face 159 may be squared within a fixturewith reference to the shoulder bottom face 158.

Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide a toolless clamp thatmay be used to secure a connecting member, such as a fiber optic cableassembly, to a support structure, such as a fixture of an optical fiberpolisher. A latch is configured and arranged to move a spring biasedshaft, which moves a clamping member, from an unclamped position to aclamped position to secure the fiber optic cable assembly to thefixture.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9-13B, a clamp assembly 200includes a clamp base 201, a shaft 231, a biasing member 243, a latch249, and a clamping member 267.

The clamp base 201 is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A base portion 202includes a top 203, a bottom 205, a front 206, a first side 210, asecond side 212, and a rear 214. The top 203 preferably extends downwardat an angle of approximately 40 degrees from the rear 214 to the front206. A bore 204 extends through the base portion 202 from the top 203 tothe rear 214. The front 206 includes a front extension 207, whichextends downward from proximate a juncture between the front 206 and thebottom 205 and includes an aperture 208. The rear 214 includes a firstflange 216 extending outward from proximate the first side 210 and asecond flange 218 extending outward from proximate the second side 212,and the flanges 216 and 218 form a cavity 222 therebetween. The secondflange 218 includes a second flange extension 219 through which anaperture 220 extends. A cylindrical portion 225 including a bore 226 isoperatively connected to the top 203 about the bore 204. The bore 226 islarger than the bore 204 thereby forming a ledge 203 a on the top 203proximate the juncture of the bores 204 and 226. A first pin 227 extendsoutward from a first side of the cylindrical portion 225 and a secondpin 228 extends outward from a second side of the cylindrical portion225.

The shaft 231 is best shown in FIG. 7. The shaft 231 includes a proximalend 232 with a neck 234 from which a spherical portion 233 extends. Anintermediate portion 235 of the shaft 231 includes a notch 236configured and arranged to receive an inner retaining member 237, and adistal end 239 includes a notch 240 configured and arranged to receivean outer retaining member 241. A biasing member 243, including bore 244,and an optional biasing member 245, including bore 246, are configuredand arranged to receive the shaft 231.

The latch 249 is best shown in FIG. 8. The latch 249 includes a knob 250through which bores 251 and 252 extend. The bore 251 extends fromproximate a top to proximate a middle portion of the knob 250, and thebore 252 extends from proximate the middle portion to proximate a bottomof the knob 250. The bore 252 has a larger diameter than the bore 251thereby forming an upper ledge 252 a. A cylindrical portion 253 extendsdownward and outward from the knob 250 to form a top 254 and a side 256through which a bore 257 extends. The bore 257 has a larger diameterthan the bore 252 thereby forming a lower ledge 257 a. The side 256includes opposing channels, a first channel 258 and a second channel262. The first channel 258 includes a ramp portion 259 and a stopportion 260, and the second channel 262 includes a ramp portion 263 anda stop portion 264.

The clamping member 267 is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The clampingmember 267 includes a base portion 268 having a rear 272 proximate whicha top portion 269 extends upward and from which bumpers extend outward.The top portion 269 forms a slot 270 proximate the front and a lip 271extending outward proximate the rear 272. The lip 271 and the first andsecond bumpers 273 and 274 form a cavity 275.

To assemble the clamp assembly 200, the spherical portion 233 of theshaft 231 is slid into the slot 270 of the clamping member 267. Thedistal end 239 of the shaft 231 is inserted through the bores 204 and226 of the clamp base 201 and the clamping member 267 is positionedwithin the cavity 222 of the clamp base 201. The optional biasing member245 is positioned about the shaft 231 between the notch 236 and theledge 203 a, and the inner retaining member 237 is positioned within thenotch 236 to retain the optional biasing member 245. The biasing member243 is positioned about the shaft 231 between the inner retaining member237 and the distal end 239. Then the distal end 239 of the shaft 231 isinserted through the bores 257, 252 and 251 of the latch 249 so that thebiasing member 243 is positioned between the upper ledge 252 a and theinner retaining member 237. The pins 227 and 228 of the clamp base 201extend through the respective channels 258 and 262 of the latch 249. Theouter retaining member 241 is positioned within the notch 240 to retainthe latch 249.

To secure the clamp assembly 200 to the base 181 of the fixture 180, aportion of the clamping member 267 is positioned within a cavity 183 ofthe fixture base 181 and front extension 207 is positioned within acavity 185 of the fixture base 181, a fastener 277 is inserted throughthe aperture 208 of the clamp base 201 and into a bore 184 of thefixture base 181, and a fastener 278 is inserted through the aperture220 of the clamp base 201 and into a bore (not shown) of the fixturebase 181. The cavity 183 is configured and arranged to allow theclamping member 267 to move therein to engage and disengage the shoulder154 of the fiber optic cable assembly 150, which is inserted into anaperture 182 in the fixture base 181. It is recognized that this clampassembly 200 could be used with any suitable connecting member.

In operation, when the clamp assembly 200 is positioned in an unclampedposition 280, with the pins 227 and 228 of the clamp base 201 positionedin the openings or lower portions of the channels 258 and 262 of thelatch 249, best shown in FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, the biasing member 245bias the shaft 231 and the clamping member 267 in an upward position.The clamping member 267 contacts the clamp base 201 to prevent the shaft231 from moving out of the clamp base 201, and the inner retainingmember 237 acts as a stop for the biasing member 245. The biasing member243 is held in a compressed state between the inner retaining member 237and the latch 249. The outer retaining member 241 acts as a stop for thelatch 249. As the latch 249 is rotated about the clamp base 201, thepins 227 and 228 move along the respective ramp portions 259 and 263 andthe biasing member 245 is compressed by the inner retaining member 237in an intermediate position 281, which positions the clamping member 267to engage the connecting member, best shown in FIG. 11. When the pins227 and 228 are positioned in the respective stop portions 260 and 264,biasing member 243 is compressed, and the clamp assembly 200 ispositioned in a clamped position 282, best shown in FIGS. 12, 13A, and13B. The biasing member 243 biases the shaft 231 in a downward position,which transfers the force of the biasing member 243 from the outerretaining member 241 to the clamping member 267 to engage the connectingmember, which in this example is a shoulder 154 of a fiber optic cableassembly 150. If the inner retaining member 237 and the biasing member245 were eliminated, the biasing member 243 would exert a biasing forceagainst the base 201 and the biasing member 243 would be compressingduring the entire rotation of the latch 249, causing more strain on theoperator and the clamp assembly components. Therefore, the innerretaining member 237 is optional but preferred.

In the unclamped position 280, the biasing member 245 exerts an upwardbiasing force on the shaft 231 by way of the inner retaining member 237.The biasing member 243 exerts a biasing force on the latch 249 containedon the shaft 231 between the outer retaining member 241 and the innerretaining member 237. In the intermediate position 281, the biasingmember 245 is being compressed. In the clamped position 282, the latch249 is locked into place relative to the clamp base 201 and the latch249 compresses the biasing members 243, which transfers the downwardbiasing force of the biasing member 243 to the clamping member 267 andthe fiber optic cable assembly 150. Therefore, when the clamp assembly200 is moved from the unclamped position 280 into the clamped position282, the biasing force is transferred from an upward biasing force to adownward biasing force. FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B illustrate a gap betweenthe latch 249 and the outer retaining member 241 because of the transferof the biasing force.

As the latch 249 is rotated, the downward biasing force is not applieduntil the clamping member 267 is seated on the connecting member, whenthe last part of the rotation into the stop portions 260 and 264transfers the biasing force from the outer retaining member 241 to theconnecting member. The biasing member 243 is captured between the innerretaining member 237 and the latch 249, which is held by the outerretaining member 241. There is approximately 8 to 9 pounds of preload onthe biasing member 243 shown in this example, but it is recognized thatthere may be other biasing options that can get exceed 12 pounds ifdesired.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 14-18B, a clamp assembly 300 includesa clamp base 301, a shaft 331, a biasing member 343, a latch 349, and aclamping member 367.

The clamp base 301 has a base portion 302 including a top 303, a front306, a first side 310, a second side 312, and a rear 314. The top 303preferably extends downward at an angle of approximately 40 degrees fromthe rear 314 to the front 306. A bore 304 extends through the baseportion 302 from the top 303 to the rear 314. The front 306 includes afront extension 307, which extends downward from proximate a juncturebetween the front 306 and the bottom and includes an aperture 308. Therear 314 includes a first flange 316 extending outward from proximatethe first side 310 and a second flange 318 extending outward fromproximate the second side 312, and the flanges 316 and 318 form a cavity322 therebetween. The second flange 318 includes a second flangeextension 319 through which an aperture (not shown) extends. Acylindrical portion 325 including a bore 326 is operatively connected tothe top 303 about the bore 304. The bore 326 is larger than the bore 304thereby forming a ledge 303 a on the top 303 proximate the juncture ofthe bores 304 and 326. A first pin 327 extends outward from a first sideof the cylindrical portion 325 and a second pin (not shown) extendsoutward from a second side of the cylindrical portion 325.

The shaft 331, best shown in FIGS. 15B and 18B, includes a proximal end332 with a neck 334 from which a spherical portion 333 extends. Anintermediate portion 335 of the shaft 331 includes a notch 336configured and arranged to receive an inner retaining member 337, and adistal end 339 includes a notch 340 configured and arranged to receivean outer retaining member 341. A biasing member 343, including bore 344,is configured and arranged to receive the shaft 331.

The latch 349 includes a knob 350 through which bores 351 and 352extend. The bore 351 extends from proximate a top to proximate a middleportion of the knob 350, and the bore 352 extends from proximate themiddle portion to proximate a bottom of the knob 350. The bore 352 has alarger diameter than the bore 351 thereby forming an upper ledge 352 a.A cylindrical portion 353 extends downward and outward from the knob 350to form a top 354 and a side 356 through which a bore 357 extends. Thebore 357 has a larger diameter than the bore 352 thereby forming a lowerledge 357 a. The side 356 includes opposing channels, a first channel358 and a second channel 362. The first channel 358 includes a firstdetent latch portion 361, a ramp portion 359 and a stop portion (notshown), and the second channel 362 includes a second detent latchportion 365, a ramp portion 363 and a stop portion 364.

The clamping member 367 includes a base portion 368 having a rear 372proximate which a top portion 369 extends upward and from which bumpersextend outward. The top portion 369 forms a slot 370 proximate the frontand a lip 371 extending outward proximate the rear 372. The lip 371, thefirst bumper 373, and the second bumper (not shown) form a cavity 375.

To assemble the clamp assembly 300, the spherical portion 333 of theshaft 331 is slid into the slot 370 of the clamping member 367. Thedistal end 339 of the shaft 331 is inserted through the bores 304 and326 of the clamp base 301 and the clamping member 367 is positionedwithin the cavity 322 of the clamp base 301. The inner retaining member337 is positioned within the notch 336, and the biasing member 343 ispositioned about the shaft 331 between the inner retaining member 337and the distal end 339. Then the distal end 339 of the shaft 331 isinserted through the bores 357, 352 and 351 of the latch 349 so that thebiasing member 343 is positioned between the upper ledge 352 a and theinner retaining member 337. The pins 327 and 328 of the clamp base 301extend through the respective channels 358 and 362 of the latch 349. Theouter retaining member 341 is positioned within the notch 340 to retainthe latch 349

To secure the clamp assembly 300 to the base 181 of the fixture 180, aportion of the clamping member 367 is positioned within a cavity 183 ofthe fixture base 181 and front extension 307 is positioned within cavity185 of the fixture base 181, a fastener 277 is inserted through theaperture 308 of the clamp base 301 and into a bore 184 of the fixturebase 181, and a fastener 278 is inserted through the aperture (notshown) of the clamp base 301 and into a bore (not shown) of the fixturebase 181. The cavity 183 is configured and arranged to allow theclamping member 367 to move therein to engage and disengage the shoulder154 of the fiber optic cable assembly 150, which is inserted into anaperture 182 in the fixture base 181. It is recognized that this clampassembly 300 could be used with any suitable connecting member.

In operation, when the clamp assembly 300 is positioned in an unclampedposition 380, with the pins 327 and 328 of the clamp base 301 positionedin the openings or lower portions of the channels 358 and 362 in thedetent latch portions 361 and 365 of the latch 349, holding the latch349 in the unclamped positions. The unclamped position is shown in FIGS.14, 15A, and 15B. The clamping member 367 contacts the clamp base 301 toprevent the shaft 331 from moving out of the clamp base 301, and theouter retaining member 341 acts as a stop for the latch 349. As thelatch 349 is rotated upward out of the detent latch and about the clampbase 301, the pins 327 and 328 move along the respective ramp portions359 and 363 and the biasing member 343 is moved into the bore 326 in anintermediate position 381, which positions the clamping member 367 toengage the connecting member, best shown in FIG. 16. When the pins 327and 328 are positioned in the respective stop portions 360 and 364, thebiasing member 343 is compressed, and the clamp assembly 300 ispositioned in a clamped position 382, best shown in FIGS. 17, 18A, and18B. The biasing member 343 biases the shaft 331 in a downward position,which transfers the force of the biasing member 343 from the outerretaining member 341 to the clamping member 367 to engage the connectingmember, which in this example is a shoulder 154 of a fiber optic cableassembly 150. If the inner retaining member 337 were eliminated, thebiasing member 343 would exert a biasing force against the base 301 andthe biasing member 343 would be compressing during the entire rotationof the latch 349, causing more strain on the operator and the clampassembly components. Therefore, the inner retaining member 337 isoptional but preferred.

In the unclamped position 380, the biasing member 343 exerts a biasingforce on the latch 349 contained on the shaft 331 between the outerretaining member 341 and the inner retaining member 337. In theintermediate position 381, the biasing member 343 is moved into the bore326. In the clamped position 382, the latch 349 is locked into placerelative to the clamp base 301 and the latch 349 compresses the biasingmember 343, which transfers the downward biasing force of the biasingmember 343 to the clamping member 367 and the fiber optic cable assembly150. Therefore, when the clamp assembly 300 is moved from the unclampedposition 380 into the clamped position 382, the biasing force istransferred from an upward biasing force to a downward biasing force.FIGS. 17, 18A, and 18B illustrate a gap between the latch 349 and theouter retaining member 341 because of the transfer of the biasing force.

As the latch 349 is rotated, the downward biasing force is not applieduntil the clamping member 367 is seated on the connecting member, whenthe last part of the rotation into the stop portions transfers thebiasing force from the outer retaining member 341 to the connectingmember. The biasing member 343 is captured between the inner retainingmember 337 and the latch 349, which is held by the outer retainingmember 341. There is approximately 8 to 9 pounds of preload on thebiasing member 343 shown in this example, but it is recognized thatthere may be other biasing options that can get exceed 12 pounds ifdesired.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown and described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specificembodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that thisinvention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A toolless clamp for clamping a connecting member to a support structure, comprising: a shaft having an intermediate portion interconnecting a proximal end and a distal end; a base having a base bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft; a latch having a latch bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft and a portion of the base; a clamping member operatively connected to the proximal end of the shaft and configured and arranged to disengage the connecting member when the latch is in an unclamped position and engage the connecting member when the latch is in a clamped position; and a first biasing member configured and arranged to bias the latch in a first direction away from the clamping member in the unclamped position and bias the shaft and the clamping member in a second direction toward the base in the clamped position.
 2. The toolless clamp of claim 1, wherein the shaft extends through the latch and includes an inner retaining member positioned on the intermediate portion within the latch bore and an outer retaining member positioned on the distal end outside of the latch, and wherein the first biasing member is positioned about the shaft between the inner retaining member and an upper ledge of the latch, the outer retaining member acting as a stop for the latch.
 3. The toolless clamp of claim 2, further comprising a second biasing member positioned about the shaft between the inner retaining member and the base to disengage the clamping member from the connecting member in the unclamped position.
 4. The toolless clamp of claim 2, further comprising: a pin extending laterally outward from the base; and a channel in the latch, the channel configured and arranged to receive the pin.
 5. The toolless clamp of claim 4, wherein the channel includes a ramp portion and a stop portion, the pin moving through the ramp portion in an intermediate position, and the pin positioned in the stop portion in the clamped position.
 6. The toolless clamp of claim 5, wherein a biasing force of the first biasing member is transferred from the outer retaining member to the connecting member when the pin is in the stop portion.
 7. The toolless clamp of claim 5, further comprising a second biasing member positioned about the shaft between the inner retaining member and the base, the second biasing member configured and arranged to compress in the intermediate position.
 8. A combination toolless clamp and fiber optic polishing fixture for polishing a cable of a fiber optic cable assembly, the fiber optic cable assembly including a shoulder, the combination comprising: the toolless clamp comprising: a shaft having an intermediate portion interconnecting a proximal end and a distal end; a base having a base bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft; a latch having a latch bore configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the shaft and a portion of the base; a clamping member operatively connected to the proximal end of the shaft and configured and arranged to disengage the connecting member when the latch is in an unclamped position and engage the connecting member when the latch is in a clamped position; and a first biasing member configured and arranged to bias the latch in a first direction away from the clamping member in the unclamped position and bias the shaft and the clamping member in a second direction toward the base in the clamped position; and the fiber optic polishing fixture comprising: a fixture base having a cable assembly aperture and a clamping member cavity, the cable assembly aperture configured and arranged to receive a portion of the shoulder, and the clamping member cavity configured and arranged to slidably receive a portion of the clamping member.
 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the shaft extends through the latch and includes an inner retaining member positioned on the intermediate portion within the latch bore and an outer retaining member positioned on the distal end outside of the latch, and wherein the first biasing member is positioned about the shaft between the inner retaining member and an upper ledge of the latch, the outer retaining member acting as a stop for the latch.
 10. The combination of claim 9, further comprising a second biasing member positioned about the shaft between the inner retaining member and the base to disengage the clamping member from the connecting member in the unclamped position.
 11. The combination of claim 9, further comprising: a pin extending laterally outward from the base; and a channel in the latch, the channel configured and arranged to receive the pin.
 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the channel includes a ramp portion and a stop portion, the pin moving through the ramp portion in an intermediate position, and the pin positioned in the stop portion in the clamped position.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein a biasing force of the first biasing member is transferred from the outer retaining member to the connecting member when the pin is in the stop portion.
 14. The combination of claim 12, further comprising a second biasing member positioned about the shaft between the inner retaining member and the base, the second biasing member configured and arranged to compress in the intermediate position. 